Citizens group: Don't solve King County shortfall by raising taxes

King County shouldn't solve a $50 million budget shortfall by raising taxes countywide, say citizens who participated in a series of county-sponsored forums.

Most of the 406 "citizen councilors" who completed a survey as part of the Countywide Community Forums said the biggest reason for King County's budget problems is spending increases — not limits on the amount of tax it can collect.

Community Forums administrators presented survey results to the Metropolitan King County Council's Government Accountability and Oversight Committee today.

The county's budget problems were the focus of the second round of forums, which were authorized and funded by Dick's Drive-In founder Dick Spady and his family. Spady proposed the forums as a way of increasing citizen input to elected officials.

Participants completed surveys online or at 51 forums held in homes, businesses, coffee shops and libraries in February and March.

Without new taxes or relaxed spending rules, budget officials estimate next year's general fund revenues will fall $50 million short of the amount needed to maintain existing programs.

Most citizen councilors said the county should, like cities, impose utility or business and occupation taxes in unincorporated areas. Forum participants who live in those areas outside cities opposed those taxes.

"It's always easier to raise taxes on the other guy than on yourself," said Jim Spady, citizen counselor deputy coordinator.

Participants who said King County and other area governments should spend more on law enforcement, the "social safety net" or public health clinics outnumbered those who said the county should spend less for those purposes.

Fifty-four percent said the biggest single reason for the county's budget problems is that its spending is growing faster than its revenues. Fifty-four percent also said their first or second priority in solving the budget problem would be "a strict limit" on spending growth, "even if it reduces or limits core county services."

If the county must cut labor costs, participants said they preferred use of unpaid furloughs and eduction of health benefits or wage reductions to laying off workers.

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com